So… Try Not To Panic, but…

by | Mar 19, 2020 | Devotions | 0 comments

“Sheriff, this is no time to panic!”

 
“This is the PERFECT time to panic! I’m lost, Andy is gone, they’re gonna move to their new house in 2 days, and it’s all your fault!”
Even if our lives have never felt like a scene from Toy Story before, it can be tough to not get caught up in the panic all around us.
So for this evening, a word from our Sponsor:
“Be still. Know that I am God!”
This—right here—is the answer for all our questions, all our concerns, all our fears.
“But the worldwide pandemic!” “Yes. Be still. I am your God.”
“But we can’t meet, and social distancing!” “Good. Spend this time with me.”
“But the stock markets are crashing!” “I can see that. Pause, and remember that I’ve got this.”
“But I’m worried about the schools, and my job.” “Yes, I know. Take a breath. I’m still here.”
“But what happens if—“ “Stop. Just stop. Turn your eyes towards me.”
In fact, reading Psalm 46 (where this statement comes from) is a great way to be still, be reminded, and be encouraged. I was going to put a link, but why not just read it here:

Psalm 46 (The Message)

God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in seastorm and earthquake, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains.

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city, this sacred haunt of the Most High. God lives here, the streets are safe, God at your service from crack of dawn. Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten, but Earth does anything he says.

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Attention, all! See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth, bans war from pole to pole, breaks all the weapons across his knee. “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Yes, this version translates “Be still and know that I am God” this way: “Step out of the traffic. Take a long, loving look at me.”

It’s a good picture, isn’t it?

And today is a good day to be reminded: God’s got you.

And I’m praying for you.
Pastor Steve.